ABSTRACT
When Tom Payzant took offi ce as the superintendent of the Boston Public Schools (BPS) on October 1, 1995, he understood that years of low performance, political struggles, and public criticism could not be corrected overnight. Payzant also understood that he would not face the challenges of improving BPS alone. Boston’s mayor, Th omas Menino, had pledged his support. Payzant was the fi rst superintendent to assume leadership since the school system came under mayoral control.
